The present study was conducted to investigate the normal somatic cell count (SCC), associated factors in hygienic management and to define subclinical mastitis in buffaloes in Puducherry. Samples were collected from 50 clinically normal buffaloes stationed at different farms of Puducherry region. Somatic cell count was measured for all the milk samples using Newman-Lampert staining technique. The upper limit of SCC was determined as GT= 2, 00,000/ml of milk based on the mean +- 2SD of a total SCC. California mastitis test (CMT) was conducted for all the animals. In the present study subclinical mastitis was diagnosed on the basis of samples with SCCs GT= 2, 00,000/ml. In the present study 96 percent of the milk samples were negative for California mastitis test (CMT). The SCC of CMT positive quarter was significantly higher (P LT 0.01) than CMT negative quarters. Subclinical mastitis was found only in three buffaloes in the present study. Somatic cell counts were significantly higher in the buffaloes with subclinical mastitis. Regarding the hygiene, all the farms had poor management and improper housing. Proper education on hygienic management is need of the hour for buffalo owners of Puducherry region.

A 7 years old female Murrah buffalo was presented to the Referral Veterinary Polyclinic, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar with a history of high fever, anorexia and respiratory distress since 2 days. On clinical examination, high body temperature, congested conjunctival mucous membrane, open mouth breathing, tachypnoea, tachycardia and lymphadenopathy noticed. Clinical pathology revealed leukocytosis, neutrophilia with shift to left and blood sample was found to be negative for haemoprotozoan infection. Bacteriological culture of blood sample revealed mucoid dew drop colonies suggestive of Pasteurella spp. and on Gram's staining of bacterial culture, Gram-negative cocco-bacilli organisms were detected. Further, the results of Pasteurella multocida species specific-PCR (polymerase chain reaction), Pasteurella multocida multiplex capsular PCR typing and Pasteurella multocida serotype B specific PCR revealed that the isolate was of Pasteurella multocida serotype B: 2. ABST (Antibiotic sensitivity test) revealed that the organism was highly sensitive for antibiotic Ceftiofur. The animal was treated with Inj. Ceftiofur sodium (2.2 mg/kg, IM, SID) and other supportive treatment including anti-pyretics, anti-histamines, multivitamins, rumenotorics and probiotics for 5 days. The animal showed marked recovery after complete therapy.

Mannose Binding Lectins (MBL) gene possibly contributes to bacterial infection resistance and was proposed as a molecular marker for milk production traits to control mastitis A total of 60 Murrah buffaloes were selected to characterize exon 2 of MBL1 gene to identify polymorphism and its association with mastitis. A 401 bp PCR fragment of MBL1 gene targeting g.2686T GT C was amplified and digested with HaeIII restriction enzyme. Genotype analysis using PCR-RFLP revealed a monomorphic CC banding pattern. Sequencing was also carried out to explore other SNPs. The result indicates highly conserved DNA sequence in Murrah buffalo. This study provides preliminary information that the targeted region of MBL1 gene in water buffalo has no significant association with mastitis resistance which maybe a breed specific characteristic. Since present study has formulated the results based on a relatively small sample, further studies are required to validate these results in large samples.

The present study was designed to investigate histopathological changes of endometritis in 110 slaughtered buffaloes from local abattoir in Junagadh (Gujarat). Grossly, 44 genitalia exhibited thickening of uterine wall and presence of varying degree of mucopurulent/purulent exudate noted in 18 uterine samples. Histopathologically, the lesions observed were acute, subacute and chronic changes in 25.45 percent, 20.90 percent and 34.55 percent respectively. Acute endometritis was characterized by severe congestion along with marked stromal edema, degenerative changes and focal denudation of luminal epithelium, focal hemorrhage in sub epithelial zone, infiltration of inflammatory cells predominantly polymorphonuclear cells and mononuclear cells in lamina propria, infiltration of mononuclear cells in glandular lumina and peri-endometrial glands. Subacute endometritis consisted of denudation of luminal epithelium, congestion, stromal edema and Focal haemorrhagic spot, infiltration of mononuclear cells in lamina propria, glandular lumina and around atrophied endometrial gland, glandular dilation, hyperplasiaof mucosal epithelium, atrophy of endometrial glands and thickening of blood vessels. The main features of chronic endometritis were desquamation of mucosal epithelium, infiltration of mononuclear cells and plasma cells in sub epithelial zone, dilatation of endometrial glands with degenerative changes, infiltration of mononuclear cells in glandular lumina and periglandular region with narrowing of glandular lumina, perivascular and periglandular fibrosis leading to severe thickening of blood vessels resulting in narrowing of their lumina and transformation of endometrial epithelial cells into low cuboidal against the normal columnar epithelium. Beside the above histopathological lesions three uterine samples revealed adenomyosis and twenty two genitalia showed metritis.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of De-oiled mahua seed cake (DMSC) on the performance (milk yield, fat percent, nutrient intake, net income and body weight change) of lactating buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Mandla district of Chhattisgarh Hills Region of Central India. Eighteen lactating buffaloes were selected nd divided into three groups (T1, T2 and T3) on the basis of body weight, milk yield, parity and stage of lactation, containing 0, 5 and 10 percent DMSC in replacement of conventional de-oiled seed cakes in the concentrate mixture. The milk yield (kg/day), fat percent, 6 percent FCM yield (kg), DM intake (kg/day) and body weight gain (g/day) was comparable among the groups. However, net income (Rs./animal/day) and B:C ratio was higher in the groups containing DMSC. Thus, from the experiment it was concluded that conventional cake can be replaced with 10 percent DMSC economically without any adverse affect on milk yield, fat percent, nutrient intake and body weight.

This communication reports a case of dystocia due to homozygotic twins suffering from ascites in a primiparous buffalo. Both the dead female fetuses were delivered successfully one by one by manual traction. The dam recovered eventfully without any post obstetrical complications.

A seven years old, ten months pregnant she-buffalo weighing 401 kg was presented to TVCC, COVAS, Udgir with a history of dysphagia, repeated regurgitation and swelling at ventral cervical region since the day before the animal was admitted to the clinic. The animal was suspected for oesophageal obstruction. Endoscopy done by naso-gastric route and X Ray showed oesophageal obstruction with a foreign body situated 100 cm distal from the nasal opening. The animal was cast in right lateral recumbency. The site of incision was shaved, cleaned and scrubbed using liq. 5 percent providine iodine and surgical spirit. The animal was sedated using Xylazine*. Linear infiltration was done using 2 percent lignocaine hydrochloride. A linear incision was taken at the surgical site. The overlying muscles were dissected and the esophagus was exposed. An oesophageal incision of sufficient length was taken and an impacted leather mass was removed. The oesophageal mucosa was closed with simple interrupted suture. Submucosa and muscularis part of esophagus were closed with simple continues manner. The muscles and skin were sutured with simple interrupted sutures. The animal was maintained only on fluid therapy for first 3 days. The day after surgery, the animal was seen lying prostrate with lateral deviation of neck and showing slight vaginal prolapse. The blood sample was analyzed for serum Ca level which revealed a level of 3.9 mg percent indicating severe hypocalcaemia. Calcium therapy was initiated. The animal assumed a standing posture. A day later, the animal delivered a normal female fetus. Three days later serum Ca level was re-estimated to be 8.5 mg percent. The animal resumed normal feeding and rumination after which the animal was given discharge. Sutures were removed after 15 days post operatively. Female buffalo calf and mother buffalo are healthy.

Mehsana buffalo is one of the best dairy breed of buffalo in Gujarat state. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of non-genetic factors on Age at first calving (AFC) and Wet average (WA). The data set comprised 12560 records up to three lactations of 7870 Mehsana buffaloes, sired by 200 bulls from 1989 to 2013 under field progeny testing programme of Dudhsagar Research and Development Association (DURDA), Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana. The least squares maximum likelihood (LSML) program was used for estimation of various non-genetic factors on AFC and WA. The least squares mean with standard error of AFC and WA were 1383.30+-3.50 days and 7.00+-0.22 lit. Highly significant (P LT 0.01) effect of season and period of birth was recorded on AFC however, effect of clusters on AFC was observed to be non-significant (P LT 0.05). Further, highly significant (P LT= 0.01) effect of all the non-genetic factors (parities, season of calving, clusters, period of calving and age at first calving group) under study was observed on wet average in Mehsana buffaloes. The heritability of AFC and WA were estimated as0.11+-0.02 and 0.34+-0.03 respectively. Heritability of traits are useful for prediction of genetic response to selection and measure for accuracy in selection. Very high and significant estimate of heritability of WA. It was concluded that selection of Mehsana buffaloes may be based on this production trait in the herd.

This study was conducted to analyze the consequence of prill fat and rumen protected choline (RPC) supplementation on performance of lactating Murrah buffaloes. Murrah buffaloes (n=18) were distributed into three groups (Control, T1 and T2) having six buffaloes in each, based on milk yield, fat per cent and stage of lactation. During the experimental period of 90 days, buffaloes in all the three groups were fed same basal diet, containing green fodder (Berseem), wheat straw and concentrate mixture to meet their requirements for maintenance and milk production. Buffaloes in Group T1 were daily supplemented with prill fat 2.5 percent of total DMI whereas; buffaloes in Group T2 were daily supplemented with 54 g rumen protected choline along with same quantity of prill fat fed as in Group T1. In contrast to the control group, overall milk yield (kg) of lactating Murrah buffaloes was significantly (P LT 0.01) increased by 0.99 and 1.78 kg in Group T1 and T2. The average 4 percent FCM (kg/d), ECM (kg/d) and fat yield (kg/d) was significantly (P LT 0.01) higher in Group T2 followed by Group T1 and Group control. There was no significant difference in milk composition of buffaloes except milk fat (percent) and total solids (percent) which were improved significantly (P LT 0.01) in supplemented groups. It was observed that prill fat supplementation in the ration helped to make better performance of early lactating Murrah buffaloes by enhanced milk yield and fat percent which can be further increased by supplementing the ration with rumen protected choline. Overall milk yield (kg) of lactating Murrah buffaloes was significantly (p LT 0.01) increased by 0.99 and 1.78 kg in T1 and T2 groups, as compared to the control group. The average 4 percent FCM (kg/d), ECM (kg/d) and fat yield (kg/d) was significantly (p LT 0.01) higher in T2 group followed by T1 and control group. There was no significant difference in milk composition of buffaloes except milk fat (percent) and total solids (percent) which were improved significantly (p LT 0.01) in supplemented groups. It was concluded that prill fat supplementation in the ration helped in improving performance of early lactating Murrah buffaloes by increasing milk yield and fat percent which can be further enhanced by supplementing the ration with rumen protected choline.

A case-control study was conducted to identify the factors associated with the success or failure of artificial insemination (AI) of buffaloes in Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines. The cow-calf pair was used as the unit of interest in this study regardless of breed and number of buffalo cows the farmers own. Of the 24 selected barangays, an equal number of cases (38 failed AI) and control (38 successful AI) were selected from 78 farmercooperators of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) AI program and data were collected using a questionnaire. On the one hand, our study found that every year increment beyond the age at first breeding of the cow could predispose the animals to fail by as much as 2.5 times when compared to younger cows. On the other hand, a monthly increment in the calf weaning age may increase the likelihood of AI success by as much as 50 percent. These results imply that the age at first breeding must be conscientiously considered to allow optimal sexual and physical maturity of the breeding cows while ensuring that first breeding does not occur with too much delay. Moreover, while more mature calves have higher chances of success at weaning, provision of wallow during pregnancy also appears to support AI success as an effective method of cooling.